Leadership Competency Framework

Fundamental Leadership Competencies Essential Leadership Competencies Visionary Leadership Competencies

Fundamental competencies are those which an individual may Essential competencies are those that the individual will develop Visionary competencies are those which 3M leaders must possess
possess at the time of hire, but which will develop further as the as he becomes responsible for a functional unit or department. to assume increased levels of responsibility. They enable leaders
individual progresses through successive management positions. to look beyond their locus of control and add perspective to their
leadership decisions.
Ethics and Integrity Customer Orientation Global Perspective
• Exhibits uncompromising integrity and commitment to • Works constantly to provide superior value to the 3M • Operates from an awareness of 3M’s global markets,
3M’s corporate values, human resource principles and customer, making each interaction a positive one capabilities and resource
business conduct policies Developing People • Exerts global leadership and works respectfully in
• Builds trust and instills self-confidence through mutually • Selects and retains an excellent workforce within multicultural environments to 3M’s advantage
respectful, ongoing communication an environment that values diversity and respects Vision and Strategy
Intellectual Capacity individuality • Creates and communicates a customer focused vision,
• Assimilates and synthesizes information rapidly, recognizes • Promotes continuous learning and the development of self corporately aligned and engaging all employees in pursuit
the complexity in issues, challenges assumptions and faces and others to achieve maximum potential of a common goal
up to reality • Gives and seeks open and authentic feedback Nurturing Innovation
• Capable of handling multiple, complex and paradoxical Inspiring Others • Creates and sustains an environment that supports
situations. Communicates clearly, concisely and with • Positively affects the behavior of others, motivating them experimentation, rewards risk taking, reinforces curiosity
appropriate simplicity to achieve personal satisfaction and high performance and challenges the status quo through freedom and
Maturity and Judgment through a sense of purpose and spirit of cooperation openness without judgment
• Demonstrates resiliency and sound judgment in dealing • Leads by example • Influences the future to 3M’s advantage
with business and corporate challenges Business Health / Results Building Alliances
• Recognizes when a decision must be made and acts in a • Identifies and successfully generates product, market • Builds and leverages mutually beneficial relationships and
considered and timely manner and geographic growth opportunities, while consistently networks, both internal and external, which generate
• Deals effectively with ambiguity and learns from success delivering positive short-term business results multiple opportunities for 3M
and failure • Continually searches for ways to add value and to position Organizational Agility
the organization for future success • Knows, respects and leverages 3M’s culture and assets
3M includes this fundamental • Leads integrated change within a business unit to achieve
competency to remind leaders that the 3M intends this competency definition to sustainable competitive advantage
company expects sound judgment from those focus leaders on building an enterprise that • Utilizes teams intentionally and appropriately
in whom it places trust, and that creates profit and generates business with
this should be demonstrated to the staff. the ultimate objective of delivering an
attractive return on shareholder investment. By including this competency, 3M aims to develop
leaders who can “see around corners” to anticipate
changes in market conditions and proactively position
the company for future competitive advantage.
© 2005 Corporate Executive Board